In My Place: With artist Claire Lefebvre

While many us might adore minimalist, modern spaces, others appreciate that ‘more’ can also be more – especially when it comes to being inspired by and happy in your home.

Visual artist and yoga teacher Claire Lefebvre has a love for all things inspirational and quirky: From eclectic treasures selected on trips overseas to items collected from the side of the road. Her unit in Thornbury, which she shares with her musician boyfriend Zoltan, is an open canvas to display all of these loved treasures.

The home of artist Claire Lefebvre. Picture: Erinna Giblin

Claire and Zoltan have lived in their rented Thornbury unit for around six months and have loved filling the space with unique, eye-catching works of art, books, plants and items they feel connected to.

Home sweet (rented) home

When decorating their unit, the couple opted for themes and objects associated with feelings of warmth, creativity and nature.

“We both want and need to be surrounded by objects and surfaces that inspire but also create a sense of being truly ‘home’,” says Claire.

Claire has become adept at using rented spaces creatively to get the most out of them:

“I’ve learned how to make do with the space you have – when you’re renting you have restrictions, so if you can’t put nails in walls then Command Hooks are fabulous, as is propping things up on books and bricks.

“In a few houses I used Blu-tack to stick a silk scarf to the wall above my bed; it was a great alternative to having a framed artwork there. I loved that the softness of the fabric set a tone of ease and lightness for the space.”

Use pieces that inspire you around the home. Picture: Erinna Giblin

A wooden pallet is given new life as a coffee table. Picture: Erinna Giblin

Posters and works of art collected from travels create a happy environment. Picture: Erinna Giblin

Bringing some nature into the city makes for a happier and healthier space. Picture: Erinna Giblin

Not even the bathroom escapes some loving colourful treatment. Picture: Erinna Giblin

A more subdued use of decoration in the bedroom encourages calmness. Picture: Erinna Giblin

The shared studio space used by Claire and her boyfriend. Picture: Erinna Giblin

A beautiful open-faced piano. Picture: Erinna Giblin

Some of the materials used by Claire in her art-making. Picture: Erinna Giblin

A recycled door has been given new life as a desk. Picture: Erinna Giblin

The home of artist Claire Lefebvre. Picture: Erinna Giblin

Claire uses crystals around the home. Picture: Erinna Giblin

An avid Beatles lover, Claire has decorated the space with plenty of paraphernalia from her favourite band. Picture: Erinna Giblin

An outside space to relax in. Picture: Erinna Giblin

The home of artist Claire Lefebvre. Picture: Erinna Giblin

An accomplished artist, Claire loves taking inspiration from visual art, travel, nature and music of the ’60s and ’70s in her home.

The space also serves as a studio for two busy creatives, so decorating also had to be practical:

“For two people who run multiple small businesses on their own, it’s crucial to have a functional home where everything has its place.”

5 minutes with Claire

My biggest indulgence in the home is…

My art book collection.

My favourite bargain piece is…

The giant mirrors that Zoltan saved from hard rubbish.

Claire Lefebvre loves her Thornbury unit. Picture: Erinna Giblin

The room that took the longest to design was…

The studio. It took a few rearrangements to get the room functional. I’m still not sure if my part is that functional, though. I have an exhibition coming up in July, so I’ll know pretty soon!

The part of the home I still want to work on is…

The backyard. It’s currently bare and we want to create a little green haven out there. I wanted to build a tiny Beatles-themed bar called ‘The Yellow SuBARine’ but common sense has quashed that idea… for now.

The room that gets the most use is…

The kitchen and living room.

Claire’s living room is the place she goes to relax. Picture: Erinna Giblin

I go here to relax…

The living room. From there I can look out onto the numerous trees in the front garden and as they’re reflected by the large horizontal mirror, it’s a yummy view of lush vitality.

The unexpected place we enjoy eating is…

The porch couch. As it’s west facing we get gorgeous sunsets.

The most frequently used pieces of kitchenware are…

A handheld stick blender we bought in Berlin and carried (and used!) all over Europe; a water filter; and a citrus squeezer.

If there was one dream element I’d add to my home it’d be…

CENTRAL HEATING!

Inspirations

When it comes to decorating, Claire says you can tell a lot about someone by what they surround themselves with.

“I believe in making your home a haven – it has the capacity to soothe and rejuvenate you. For Zoltan and I, we needed to surround ourselves with items that make us happy and inspire us, like books and pieces we’ve picked up on our travels.”

Claire’s favourite item in her home is her record player. Picture: Erinna Giblin

Claire is particularly inspired by the likes of the late Peggy Guggenheim, whose Venice home has been turned into a museum, and the minimalist artist Georgia O’Keeffe.

“I’m very drawn to Georgia O’Keeffe’s minimal, secluded home studio in New Mexico.”

“I’m a maximalist who dreams of being a minimalist – but that’s not going to happen any time soon!”

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